Details about the account opening for:

1. Account opening for German citizens in Germany

You apply for the account through the link mentioned above. After the online account application, there are two possibilities of legitimating:

PostIdent

You go with the ID-coupon and your ID-card or passport to a post office branch of your choice and confirm your identity there. The post office forwards your identity to the bank. This method is free for you!

Legitimating through video call!

VideoIdent

VideoIdent consists of a video call conversation with Comdirect. You will have to hold your passport in front of the camera. Additionally, the bank staff member will take a current photo of you through the webcam.

Things you need for the VideoIdent method:

phone

computer with Webcam (can also be in an Internet café)

current Flash Player (Program for the video call)

ID-card or passport

mobile phone number or email address (to receive the TAN-confirmation)

As in almost all countries, also the banks in Germany have to identify their customers beyond doubt. Therefore, this is nothing special. However, it is special that the Comdirect Bank is one of the first banks that have implemented a convenient ID-procedure via video call.

2. Account opening for foreigners in Germany

The application is also provided through the above mentioned link. Depending on the nationality, there are one or two methods for identification available.

PostIdent

ID-cards, national ID-cards and passports of nearly every country are accepted by the Deutsche Post branch offices as a data base for the PostIdent-procedure.

As the German residential address is only stated on the foreign ID-documents in the rarest of cases, the submission of a registration certificate will be required in many cases. You can obtain a registration certificate at your local citizens service/registration office. In Bavaria, this official certificate costs currently Euros 5.

VideoIdent

The legitimating via video call is currently available to holders of identity documents from the following countries:

Austria

Switzerland

Luxembourg

Liechtenstein

3. Account opening for German citizens abroad

For German citizens abroad (expats) that have a valid ID-card or passport, the VideoIdent-procedure is a great simplification.

VideoIdent

The legitimating is the same as in “German citizens in Germany“. Additionally, a confirmation of the address abroad is required. This proof can be provided easily. Proven – at no additional costs – are phone bills, electricity or gas bills, or a bank statement from a local bank: simply a document that states your abroad address.

ID-form with notarial confirmation

This procedure, in which a notary verifies your identity based on the ID-card or passport and confirms it using the ID-form of the Comdirect bank, can be used as an emergency solution, if you live in a country, where the Internet connection is not sufficient for video calls.

4. Account opening for foreigners abroad

The Comdirect also accepts customers, who live abroad and are no German citizens.

However, please note that the German language should be understood at least elementarily. The telephone customer service will also be able to deal with English, but the online banking and mailings of the bank are only available in German language.

For non-German citizens abroad, there is a total of three legitimating methods. Please choose the one that is easiest for you.

VideoIdent

No matter in which country you are currently – you can take this convenient way of video call, if you have an identity document of the following countries:

Austria

Switzerland

Luxembourg

Liechtenstein

ID-form with notarial confirmation

The legitimating through the ID-form can be implemented from most countries. However, please contact the customer service of the Comdirect bank and ask about the current situation (e.g. whether an apostille is required).

PostIdent

The legitimating through the PostIdent-procedure is always possible. For example, if you are visiting Germany. However, we know of cases in which the Deutsche Post has declined this legitimating – probably because of the foreign address – but there are also cases in which it worked well.

How VideoIdent works (please start the video):

Possible challenges: too few creditworthiness data

The Comdirect Bank can offer such excellent conditions, such as the free Visa card, because it is a clever direct bank. However, that also means that many processes happen automatically.

Thus, each application on a current account opening is assessed by the computer and this suggests an account opening or a rejection of account opening. For this, the computer evaluates various data, such as the monthly income, among others.

In addition, a creditworthiness check through the German credit investigation company SCHUFA (German article) is made. If you live abroad or are only recently living in Germany, then there will be probably only few or no data at the Schufa. This has a negative impact on the creditworthiness rating and may lead in some cases to a rejection of the account opening.

Don´t be frustrated by an automatic rejection!

The Comdirect Bank is one of the best German banks not only due to the very good conditions, but also because of its comparatively very, very good customer service.

Explain your situation to the bank and say (or write) to the bank about the purpose of the account. There are so many cases in which a re-examination – taking into account the new information – led to a successful account opening.

Delivery of the mail

Online-Postbox. On your request, the documents will be sent by letter paying postage.

The bank statements are provided as a PDF document electronically to your virtual mailbox in the online banking system.

The access data for online banking, as well as the Girocard and Visa card, are sent to you by mail.

The delivery is in any case – regardless whether in Germany or abroad – free of charge.

And if you wish, you can also state a different address.

“Yes, I want to become a Comdirect customer”

Our editorial staff would be happy to answer your questions on the account opening at the Comdirect, as well as on the legitimating methods. Please post your question in the comments box at the bottom of this page.

Please feel invited to add your experiences and tips / advices to this page for the benefit of all readers. Many thanks!

109 Responses to “Comdirect: Opening the current account”

Hi. My don is travelling to germany to work in the summer at an English teaching camp and they will be paying him in euros and they have suggested he open an account in Germany . He 19 and from the United kingdom. Can he Open one with you ?
Very many thanks

We are an American couple who recently purchased a holiday home in Switzerland. We reside in the U.S. But visit Switzerland 3 or 4 times a year . We would like to open a bank acct to pay our taxes in Europe and to make deposits if the home is rented. Can you advise us if this is possible ? Thank you. Lee Phillips

The Comdirect is a bank in Germany. If you have your holiday home in Switzerland, it will be probably useful, if you open an account in Switzerland. You should know that Switzerland has the Franks, a different currency than in Germany.

The easiest will be that you visit a local Kantonalbank in the city, where your holiday home is … or ask in Switzerland for a recommendation. For our readers, we have specialized on the best selection and opening of bank accounts in Germany.

I would note that American Citizens have special problems opening bank accounts in Europe, and really if you only need to pay a few bills, and have limited European income, then its much easier to open an account with Currencyfair or Transferwise. You can transfer in USD from your bank and pay bills in Euros or Francs, at fair exchange rates. And if you have income, with Currencyfair you can simply have your renters do a transfer to your Currencyfair account, from which you can exchange for USD and send back to your bank.

Hello, I wish to buy a flat in Berlin. residence in Serbia…have Hungarian EU passport. Is it possible to open an bank account in Germany ..and to transfer money somehow 🙂
OR How it would be the best case … easiest and cheapest way to try?

I recently filled out the application for comdirect and sent it off through the mail/postident (via passport) about how many days does it take for comdirect to approve/refuse you for a bank account? Also are you notified via email or post?

Hi,
I currently live in Argentina. I been working for a UK based company for 8 years. I have a bank account in Spain that has been frozen because of some regulations they started to enforce recently. I’m looking forward to open a bank account in Germany. I do happen to have double nationality (Argentine – German) and have also a German passport.
For obvious reasons, I’d try not to pay tazes in Germany. do you think this is doable?

I have been sent a real round robin in regards to opening a bank account. I am a Zimbabwean, residing on a work permit in South Africa and 6 weeks into my 90 day internship in Berlin. I was told to open an account I should register my address once I have a permanent one.

I resided in a student hostel for the first 2 weeks and managed to find a place 4 weeks ago. I only now managed to get a lease agreement. The next available appointment spot for registration ( Anmeldung) is after I leave!

Shall I then opt to open a non-resident account? Is it possible to do so at a branch .comdirect branch or only online. I would like to keep this Euro offshore account for life. I highly doubt that Zimbabwe or South Africa are on this list.

At the Comdirect, one can open a private account (instructions given above). The bank does not offer business accounts. We are still working on a solution for this issue and will then publish instructions on this special portal.

Hi there
I am ahmad. Owner of hi tech computers, Faislabad, Pakistan.
I am a businessman and I want to open bank account in Germany. I have business visa for one year. Please guide me how I can open it. When I come I need my payment in safe hand. So I need bank account.
thanks
ahmad touseef

However, we are working to find a solution on how to open a business account in Germany from abroad. So far, only very few banks are interested, therefore, it is not easy to find a good solution. Nevertheless, we will find a solution and publish it on this special portal.

Hello
I am citizen of Greece and live in Greece.
I would like to open an account in Germany to keep some money there safe (out of Greek banking system)
But I would like to be able to use these money for payments (example online services) in case I need to.
I have read about comdirect that offers current account together with savings account free of charge.
Will I be able to open these accounts?

The background is that it is difficult for the bank to carry out a creditworthiness check, if the residence is in Greece. For a savings account, no creditworthiness check is necessary. Nevertheless, the bank might ask for the reason of account opening. The Comdirect expects some knowledge of German language in order to understand the banking.

This is different at Number26 https://www.deutscheskonto.org/en/number26/. The account opening and banking can be done completely in English language. However, one currently needs an address in Germany or Austria for the account opening, because the MasterCard can only be sent to these two countries. This will be improved in the future. Moreover, currently only transfers within the SEPA area are possible. Again, this will be expanded. The bank is still fairly new.

Thank you for reply.
What if I apply on comdirect for a current account but without credit card and overdraft (these are optional in the account opening documents)
Do I still need a credit rating for this?
I would prefer an account without interest rate that is why I prefer a current account instead of savings account if possible.

I am Indian and have been working here with local contract since 3 years. I have a Kreissparkase (for my salary) account which i am using for Electricity bill, Internet bill, Radio bill and house rent. These are down auto debit to me. If I open a account with .comdirekt, is it also possible with you a credit or debit and auto pay?

Generally, the current account of the Comdirect is applied for with two bank cards:

Girocard (= debit card)

Visa Card (= credit card)

The credit card is settled weekly with the current account in order to avoid the expensive loan interest. In the case that the current account slips into the red, only the cheaper overdraft facility interest applies.

Hi,
With the notarial confirmation for the ID-form, as my documents (Passport, gas bills, etc) are not in German, will they have to be professionally translated? Or is it the other way around and the comdirect application form will have to be translated into English and then signed by the notary/apostilles?
thank you.

I do not know you and your financial circumstances. However, we did not establish this special portal to give individual consultation, but to show what is possible in general.

If you can provide the few requirements stated in the above article, then you should not encounter any problems at the account application. Finally, it is the bank that decides to open an account or not.

An account opening from abroad always is a little more difficult – as it is more expensive for the bank – than from an address within Germany. Nevertheless, the Comdirect in one of the very few banks in Germany, where this is possible in principal.

I would like to know what is the deposit guarantee with Comdirekt. I live in Cyprus but am a British citizen. I could come to Germany to open my account but would prefer not to do so; I don’t really understand the online account opening routines outlined above and would be grateful for more detail.
Thank you,
David Jones.

The statutory deposit guarantee in Germany is Euros 100,000 per customer and account.

The Comdirect bank is a member of the deposit guarantee system of the “Association of German Banks (BdB)”. According to their statutes, there is an additional assurance in the millions per customer and account. This amount depends on the equity capital of the bank. At Comdirect, this is currently Euros 77 million per customer.

As you want to apply for the account from abroad, please do not click on the big button at the top (as this is linked to the online application for Germany), but through the following link.

The accounts for holders with residence abroad are not applied through an online form, but using a PDF document. You can find this on the linked page under the bullet point “Für Personen, die nicht länger als 180 Tage in Deutschland leben (for people, who do not live more than 180 days in Germany) => Eröffnungsunterlagen (documents for account opening) => Girokonto bzw. Tagesgeld PLUS” (current account or Call Money PLUS).

Please, follow the further instructions in the documents.

It could be that you and the bank agree on a legitimating via webcam. You hold your ID card and your face in front of the webcam to confirm your identity. This works fine with German ID cards or passports, but unfortunately, not always with ID documents from abroad.

Alternatively, the Comdirect accepts an Ident-form through a notary from Cyprus. You should discuss the details with the Bank. You will have to bear the costs of the notary and postage.

Another alternative would be the PostIdent-procedure. However, this only works in branch offices of the post in Germany. One visits the branch office with the ID card / passport and the Ident-coupon and can perform the identification there. The costs will be borne by the Comdirect.

The account opening in a branch office and a personal identification through an employee, is not possible, as the Comdirect has no branch offices. It is a pure online bank. Therefore also the excellent conditions!

Could you please explain the difference between the Girokonto and Tagesgeld PLUS? I live in the USA and am looking to open an account to use for spending money whenever we visit Germany. I know banking is quite different in Germany and Europe compared to here.

I would like to follow the same procedure from Greece. But notaries here are not allowed to sign the identity papers that the bank requires. Such actions are only allowed to lawyers. But identity papers from lawyer is not accepted by the bank. Do you have any suggestion for this problem?

Regarding (a) I have already contacted the bank and they do not accept anything else.
The only thing I have not mentioned to them is video-ident since I read that it works only for German speaking countries, is this correct?

Regarding (b) in the information of the account opening pdf it says this:

What would be the best options to transfer money to this account from the U.S.? I know basic German and am trying to learn some banking German. Would they decline me if they think my German is not good enough?

For the money transfer between the USA and Germany, I always use TransferWise. TransferWise is cheap and fast. However, I do not know, if it is always the best solution. Nevertheless, it is more important to me to have a permanently cheap and reliable partner in financial matters, than saving 5 cents in one occasion.

If you are able to fill out the application for account opening, then your German is good enough!

Hi, i have a quick question, i have a German bank account from Sparkasse, this is a personal bank account, i do receive money from selling things on Ebay, do you think i can open a comdirect account and receive payment something from Ebay Deutschland? i am currently living in USA but still selling things on German Ebay.

Hi tanja, I recently opened a comdirect account, and I did filled all the information, then they send another letter again with a coupon, the letter also said it can be faxed as they have all the information, the was a mistake with my citizenship and date of birth so I rectified the mistakes and signed, then I faxed it. That arround the 16th of November. When do I get the reply back if my account was successful or not, I live in Germany for 4years now. And the funny part is daily I check the postal box to see if my reply came.

Nat, I hope you’ve received a reply in the meantime. While this is a website for clever banking in Germany we’re not the bank ourselves. So we don’t have access to an individual bank customer’s data. I would recommend to ask the bank’s customer service about your case.

The deposit through the ATM of the Commerzbank is 3 times a year free of charge for Comdirect customers since the last change in the price list. Then, cheap Euros 1.90 are charged for each operation. This at least applies, if one deposits on the current account.

A reader from our inner circle wrote us that there are without limitations no charges for deposits to the account “Tagesgeld Plus” (call money plus). One can only deposit to this account at the counter. Do you want to try this for yourself?

I am Swiss citizen leaving in Switzerland and currently interrested in opening Girokonto by Comdirect, in order to avoid cash withdrawal fees while travelling abroad. However, when I start the opening process and fill-in the online formular, system asks me to fill-in the postIdent formular because I live in Switzerland… I thought that videoIdent were avalaible for Swiss people. Is it still valid?

Greetings, Many thanks for this information about Comdirect. I opened an account with them this week and have been impressed with the service. I am an EU citizen, but a legal and fiscal resident of the USA. Most European banks seems reluctant to open accounts for US residents. With Comdirect, it was a breeze. I am in Strasbourg for several weeks. All I had to do was cross the bridge into Kehl and present my passport and driver’s license at the post office. The clerk verified my identity and mailed the application. Comdirect wrote by email, asking that I complete an additional form. I returned it by email, and the account was opened the following morning. In total, it took four days. I look forward to doing business with the bank. I especially like that they allow several free deposits each year at Commerzbank. With my Schwab debit card, I can withdraw euros at the ATM from my USD account without any commission. Being able to deposit the cash with ease back into the new EUR account is a great benefit. Very pleased, and grateful for your website, without which I would not have heard about Comdirect.

Hello, I am a British citizen, resident in France. I own an apartment in Germany which I rent out, so I need a bank account in Germany. I have had a Commerzbank account for some time now but the monthly charges are high and there’s no interest. I almost never go to Germany so I cannot go inside a bank. Do you recommend (and is it possible from outside Germany) to open a Comdirect account? Thanks so much.

Hello,
the Comdirect is a good choice in this case. But you are going to have to travel to Germany, in order to legizimize yourself at a German post office (Deutsche Post) via PostIdent. That is the simply way to do it. An alternative would be the legitimization via a notary. The details of that you’d have to discuss with the bank. Good luck!

Good day,
I am a Ukrainian citizen without registration in Germany. I am seaman and working in German company. The company ask me to open bank account in Germany in order to transfer my salary. Next month few times my ship will visit Hamburg. Please let me know if I can open bank account in Comdirect bank? What I have to do for this? Which documents I need to provide to the bank in order to get account.
Best regards Yevgen

Just wanted to let you know that recently I was successfully able to open an account with Comdirect as a UK citizen not living in Germany. While visiting Germany I went to a post office to do the PostIdent process and they sent it off with my application form. Within a few days I received an email asking for proof of residence in the UK so I sent a telephone bill. Within a few more days they had processed everything and opened a Girokonto, savings account and prepaid visa card. Initially they said I could write to them in English and they would reply in German but they have since said they only accept correspondence in German. There is no English at all in the letters or website, but the app for the iPad is in English and google translate can be used. I hope this is helpful to someone in the same position as me.

I’m a Swedish citizen living in India so it seems that the VideoIdent is not applicable and PostIdent is out of question at least for some time. The only option I have is what you mention: “ID-form with notarial confirmation”.

Where do I find that ID-form?

If apostille is required, how does it work? (sorry but I’m not familiar with these procedures)

As the editorial team we gladly share tricks and tips about finding the fitting banking accounts in Germany, as well as opening and cleverly using them. But our possibilities reach their limit when it comes to individual agreements between a bank and a customer.

If you cannot use the bank’s two preferred legitimization channels (VideoIdent, PostIdent) and want to use the special channel of involving a notary instead, we recommend discussing this with the bank individually. After all, it’s the bank that needs to agree with the account opening, and it certainly would not be wrong to have an answer to the question, why you need a private free-of-charge giro account in Germany, when you live on another continent.

I have recently come to Germany for few months for project work. I wish to rent an apartment for this duration, and in most cases a bank account is needed. Can I use my temporary address or office address for registration and initial correspondence. I’m currently staying in one of the serviced apartments until I find a rental place.

As a citizen and resident of Kyrgyzstan I tried to open an account with Comdirect Bank but failed. Online form didin’t accept my 6-digit post code and my place of residence. You also should indicate German mobile phone number, otherwise online form will not be accepted.
One more thing, I put “Houseman” in occupation field but there was still a question about my employer and employment location. So, I couldn’t proceed to the next page…

You only need a gas/water/electricity bill for your additional legitimization if you do not live in Germany. If that is the case (for example if you live in Austria) you could alternatively provide a copy of your registration card, tax reports or something equally official (unfortunately, a copy of the rental agreement will NOT suffice).

Dear Editorial team,
Is it possible for me, as a non-EU country citizen (from Kyrgyzstan), to open bank account with German bank and get VISA or MasterCard if I visit bank in Germany in person? I plan to travel to Germany and can visit bank myself instead of applying online. If “YES” which banks can provide this option?

I have an account which card do I use to get cash from an ATM in France without charge.
I have 2 cards one with VISA and one with VPAY. I tried the VIsa card but was charged 5+ euros for 100 withdrawn.
When I rand I was told to use the Vpay card as I was in europe. I dont have a pin for this card.

Which one do I use to withdraw cash in France without having to pay a commission.

It’s correct – your VPAY card would be your card of choice for this. In order to obtain a new PIN, you can contact the bank directly (e.g. within your online banking platform) and simply send them a message. They will provide you with a new PIN.

Starting April 24, 2017, the “rules” are going to be somewhat simpler when it comes to withdrawing cash at ATMs:

– within the EUR-Zone you use your Giro/VPay-Card free of charge
– countries with other currencies: you use your Visa Card

I am writing this message to thank you for all the information you have gathered here, that has helped a lot of people (I am sure) to open a German Bank account.
Because I have benefited from all this information, please allow me to write about my personal experience:
In March, during a trip of mine, I got in Munich airport for 2 hours, so I went to the airport Deutsches Post, to do the PostIdent procedure. We had a small problem communicating with the clerk in English (my German is almost non-existent), but in the end we understood each other, she put all the documents in an envelope, I didn’t pay anything and she kept them, promising that she would send them to Comdirect.
Although I was a little sceptical (in case something was ommited and I would not be able to do the procedure again, in the near future), everything proved to be fine and in a week or so, I received by mail all the necessary documents from Comdirect.
I would like to inform your readers that in Munich Airport you need to get OUT of the security area in order to get to the Post Office, so you need to pass the security check again, if you continue your flight- so, plan your time accordingly.

I have followed the instruction provided here and took a chance to apply for a VISA card, although i am working for a German company here in Deutschland, with a standard income and have provided the bank with every detailed information with proper records.

The bank has declined the request stating that they cant disclose the reason to decline.

Quite surprised, could you please let me know any other legitimate options other than DKB and Comdirect ?

If you still are particularly interested in becoming a customer of Comdirect, it might be a good idea to first open the Tagesgeld account. Since this is a savings account without credit line, a credit check is not required. Once you have this account, put money in it and develop a good history as a Comdirect customer, you will probably have better chances to get other accounts there as well. https://www.deutscheskonto.org/en/comdirect/tagesgeld/opening/

Hello, I am British but reside in the Netherlands and have Dutch identification (i.e. driving licence and residence permit) as well as a British Passport. In the VideoIdent system it only accepts video calls from

Austria
Switzerland
Luxembourg
Liechtenstein.
Why not Netherlands? Can I go directly to a Comdirect bank in Aachen and open an account there?

I have opened an account at comdirect not long ago, their service is amazing. I only opened a girokonto but not long ago I sent another letter to get the bonus option for purchases reimbursed for a depot, since I have some experience with all kinds of wertpapier I managed to get everything sorted out. I live in Hungary so I had to go through a German language certified notare and have an apostille certificate added to the paper. The opening of the account was very smooth, only had to provide income information later and paper about my current consumption (eg telephone bills or TV subscription) I’m very satisfied with their service, got a VISA-prepaid too which is very handy, was trying to get that one not the credit card because I’m not really wanting credit options. It will be very handy once I move over to Germany now to receive my wages and get essential payments going for Internet and other stuff. They do have English speaking colleagues but mostly will only communicate in German which is not much of a problem.

Although I’m unsure how long you can keep the account empty without money actively going on it, if anyone knows please do tell me! I did look at the contract paper didn’t find it. xD

You can leave the account empty for a few weeks without worries. The bank does not define a duration.

But maybe you’d like to try out the account features before your activities in Germany. In that case we’d recommend a test transfer to the Comdirect account. From Hungary this works simply and inexpensively with the specialty provider TransferWise. I regularly use TransferWise for international money transfer with changing currencies.

I am an Argentinian resident and citizen. I have also a Polish citizenship. I will buy a property in Berlin area, and during the next four years my aim is to rent this property and by 2021 to live there, when I will be retired.
Is there any possibility to open an account (girokonto, or something seemed) BEFORE buying my flat, so I could transfer there my money to this purpose and other expenses, and also for deposit the rent ?
Thank you a lot.

Regarding the other questions: Of course Comdirect do not charge any fees for signing into online banking, and not for sending SMS. It is possible thought that SMS costs are incurred from your mobile provider, when the message is forwarded abroad. As an alternative you could use the iTAN list and the PhotoTAN. Both are free of charge and can be ordered via the bank’s customer service.